The front tire had a crack of a few inches. Yamaha SVC has given me a letter asking MRF to examine and replace the tire under warranty. On calling up MRF, they said an engineer would need to check the tire in person, and he would be available only late afternoon. This meant taking a day off from office.

Yesterday, I took a day off as I had a bad cold. Fixed an appointment with the MRF engineer for 4pm. First, brought the local tire puncture guy to remove the front tire. What a mammoth task! After removal, the bike was resting on a huge brick and a wooden plank where the front tire lies, and couple of sand-bags placed to the bike's left to save it in case of a fall!

As luck would have it, the MRF gowdown cum service center was very far(Quthbullapur, Hyd - 21kms) from where I stay, and I had to book a cab, spending 350 bucks in the ride itself.

At the godown, the MRF guys replaced the tre without any fuss! However, I was asked to pay 235 bucks for the using the tire for 4000kms. Something like the depreciation that is taken into account when you put in a claim to Insurance companies for rubber and steel parts. I did protest, but seemed it was a standard rule, and I could do nothing about it. Asked for the price of the tire, and was quoted a figure of Rs 1200 or so. The guy did add that these tires sell for much higher, as their availability was rare! Also,he said I was the first person in Hyd to get a tire replaced under warranty!

Returned home, happy with the outcome. Had saved quite a lot, had I purchased the tire at close to Rs 2000 elsewhere. Brought the local tire puncture guy to fit the front tire on the bike. Was heart-broken to see the guy beat the tire onto the rim mercilessly. I couldnt think of an alternative, and it left a lot of scratches. However, air kept escaping from the rim, and he just couldnt get the tire fitted right(all this while, the tire and rim were detached from the bike). I went to a car-tire alignment showroom, where they fitted the tire well. Post which I got the tire fitted back on the bike.

Long day!

Have to check air pressure today to see if all is well.

Thinking of buying this from ebay: a pressure gauge. Does it look fine?
eBay India: Mobile airmaster Tire/Tyre Pressure Gauge with Case (item 250727393942 end time 22-Nov-2010 19:45:33 IST)

At the end of the day, I was left wondering whether the pain was worth the saving of money for buying a new tire and getting it fitted at the Yamaha SVC where they would've certainly taken better care while removing and re-fitting the tire. The only way I could've done that is by leaving the bike with them, sans the tire for a few days. My bike had the tire crack for a week. The first time I had taken the bike to get the tire examined at the SVC and local MRF dealer was by re-filling the tire every one km or so, and pushing it when I couldnt find a tire shop!


Edit: One quick question: the moment i took the bike for a ride after the new tire was fitted, I noticed that the front brake lever was totally loose, with no braking power at all. I thought that the brake cable had been left unfixed when the tire was fitted. Went to the tire shop, but just then found the brake lever responding! It was back in form, totally firm in braking! What just happened???

If you are new to DIY jobs then I'd suggest you to get it done from outside. And since your first service is becoming due in a couple of days, you could run the chain as it is for 50-60odd kms during this period and get the lubing done at the time of service.


50-100kms of riding with a dry-ish chain wont do it any harm.

I too mentioned about it.

My bulbs (stock) have broken, I am thinking to revert back to 35/35 for the high-beam, but then I am not much of a night rider, so...

where in Pune ? wait a min ... your bike has red radium tapes ... have u got a sticker of 'xbhp.com' on the tail of your bike ?? if yes then i have seen your bike ...

That's right! But, where did you see me? And, I stay in Wanowarie side!

I dont think it is worth purchasing because with a little extra bucks you can get an air compressor that can both fill and measure the pressure...

I dont think it is worth purchasing because with a little extra bucks you can get an air compressor that can both fill and measure the pressure...

+1

complete air compressor with measuring gauge costs around 430

its a must buy

i do check my air pressure after every 2 days and yes there is some less amount left

i have mentioned in the title that it was in chennai buddy!!

Thanks for the tip! But, where do you get this air compressor?

I saw one in Big Bazaar but in that u have to plug it into the 12V socket that most of the cars have today or the lighter switch...U can also get it in a good car or bike market...

i saw it outside Vijay Sales last month !
i remember it because of the 'xBhp.com' sticker!
where did u get that one ?

oh and i just saw the bike parked outside the store not u !

i live in Kothrud btw!

I meant, the Relay in the Bike, blew off! IF no problem so far, then it's good. But, the Illumination is bad. Sorry!



I have HIDs on High beam only. Works very well! Low Beam is stock/halogen.


One here.


How did you change the Battery to 5Amp?

When I asked a seller on eBay about how to make it work on a bike, without the cigarette lighter, he replied,

'sir for bike cut adapter provided in compressor and
connect it directly to your bike battery and
remember always take your bike start when using
compressor'

Advisable?